The easiest full-service payroll for most US small businesses: published prices, tax filings included, but multi-state payroll needs Plus and the per-person fee adds up as you grow.
What it is
Gusto runs US payroll with federal, state and local tax filings and payments, W-2s and 1099s, unlimited payroll runs, direct deposit, new-hire reporting, PTO, benefits administration and basic HR. Plans on gusto.com/pricing: Simple $49 a month plus $6 per person (payroll in one state), Plus $80 plus $12 per person (multi-state payroll, time tracking and scheduling, next-day pay) and Premium $180 plus $22 per person (named advisor, HR experts, priority support). US contractors are billed at the plan's per-person fee only in months you pay them; global contractor payments cover 120+ countries with no monthly per-contractor fee. The standalone Contractor Only plan closed to new customers on October 1, 2026, so contractor-only businesses now pick a regular plan. Setup is free, no contracts. Gusto pays contractors abroad but does not employ people abroad itself, so foreign employees need an employer of record. Prices checked on gusto.com November 13, 2026.
Best for
- US small businesses running their first payroll
- Teams that want payroll, benefits and onboarding in one app
- Businesses that pay a mix of employees and US contractors
What we like
- Published prices with tax filings and W-2s/1099s included
- Unlimited payroll runs on every plan
- Clean self-serve setup and employee app
- Pays contractors in 120+ countries
What to watch
- Simple covers payroll in one state only; multi-state needs Plus ($80 + $12 per person)
- No contractor-only plan for new customers since October 2026
- Per-person fees grow with headcount: 20 people on Plus cost $320 a month
- Dedicated support and HR experts only on Premium
Where Gusto ranks
Alternatives and head-to-heads
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